Dear Lake Neighbors,
It is “nearly” springtime. I hear the birds singing louder and the sun feels warmer, however, that darn snow won’t seem to leave us! In the past 3 years (2015, 2016 and 2017), the ice has disappeared right around April 1st. I’m afraid it will be late April before we lose the ice this year!
This is a great time to renew your membership in GLA for 2018. Contact me if you want to know if you have already renewed. I’ve attached a membership renewal form so you can send one in with your dues. We appreciate your support of our efforts to maintain this beautiful lake.
I have several important things for you to be aware of:
First, the GLA Board is actively monitoring a proposed subdivision of the Chauvet property near the landing by Secluded Land Company. At this point, the proposed development is in a very preliminary stage. Before any development can occur, the developer must get approvals for its proposal from Washburn County Zoning and the Town of Minong. We have a response to the proposal with our concerns which we have shared with Linda Featherly, a member of the Town Board. We can’t stop development of that property, but we can aggressively oppose poor development. This proposal is not good, and we will work hard to make that clear to the county and township. The GLA board will keep you informed as things progress, and we will contact our members when their input and participation is needed at meetings of the Town Board and County Zoning. Please contact me if you have any questions about this situation. [franmccloskey@yahoo.com or reply to this email]
Second, you are likely aware that zebra mussels have been found in Washburn County in Big and Middle McKenzie lakes. In response to this invasive species threat, the DNR, county and town of Minong are trying to educate the public and encourage careful boat inspection and decontamination of boats at landings to prevent the spread of zebra mussels. Washburn County has passed a new ordinance requiring decontamination as long as a decontamination station is present at a boat landing. Please be vigilant when launching and removing boats from the lake. In addition, please educate yourselves and your guests about decontamination and how to spot zebra mussels. Please notify the lake association immediately if you think you found one and save a specimen in a sealed plastic bag. Here is a link to an article on Zebra Mussels on WCLRA’s website. http://wclra.org/washburn-burnett-counties-mobilizing-against-zebra-mussels/
Third, mark your calendars for the Annual Meeting and Picnic Lunch on Saturday June 30, 2018 at 10:00am. We need some volunteers to help at the picnic with set-up and clean-up. If you are able to help, please contact me. Also, the Annual Boat Parade will be on Sunday July 1st at 1:00pm. The theme will be announced as soon as we have open water.
If you would like to be added to our Facebook group, please contact me and provide the email address to send the invitation to join. The group is a free forum and is not sponsored by the lake association. There are some beautiful photos shared by people on the lake, and it is a great way to connect with your lake neighbors (full disclosure: I am not a Facebook user, but I post periodically from my husband Mike’s account.)
I hope to see you out on the lake soon,
Fran McCloskey
GLA President